Laser expert leads academia into 21st century

17 Jun 2002

World-leading laser physicist Professor John Hegarty has been elected provost of Trinity College, Ireland.

Hegarty was voted in by Trinity College staff and students and will take the 43rd provost seat of the college in August of this year. The 10-year term means that Hegarty is responsible for promoting the college's educational and cultural activities, infrastructure and international links. However his first aim is to encourage innovation in teaching.

"I will encourage innovation in teaching because our students must be our top priority," he said. "I will continue to support all measures that are designed to increase the proportion of able students in Trinity from under-represented groups and promote excellence in research and service to the wider national and international community."

Hegarty is currently dean of research at the University of Dublin, a member of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and sits on the Advisory board to the Science Foundation Ireland in Information and Communications Technologies. In the past he has established Optronics, Ireland, and has held the positions of visiting professor at the University of Tokyo and at Sony Corporation, Japan. He is also a fellow of Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.